Paul St. James

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - Paul Francis Xavier St. James, who grew up in Wallingford, died Monday, Sept. 29, 2008, in Hollywood, Fla., at age 55, of complications from traumatic brain injury, the result of an assault and robbery that had occurred on Sept. 3. Paul was a well-known member of the Hollywood, Fla. community, especially as a member of the parish of the Church of the Little Flower. He was the unofficial go-to guy for friends and strangers who had no one else to turn to for help. A recent article in the Miami Herald, (www.miamiherald.com) described the attack and tried to capture the devastating loss the community is feeling. Among many anecdotes, one captures Paul's selflessness; "Parishioners recall when the church held its annual Christmas tree sale a few years ago, that Paul noticed a mother who didn't have enough money to buy a tree. He not only purchased one for her, but also set it up at her home and gave her money to buy gifts for her two children." Paul, who was known as "Wolf", was described by Pastor Father Tom O'Dwyer as, "a man who just gave and gave and gave. That's the example he left us. And that's how we will remember him.'' In addition to his work in the parish, Paul was also a member of the Pompano Beach Volunteer Fire Department for many years. He will be sorely missed.

Paul was predeceased by his father and mother, Dr. and Mrs. Alfred St. James of Wallingford, and Hollywood, Fla. He is survived by his daughter, Carly Marie, of Hollywood, Fla.; as well as his sisters, Daria and her husband, Stanley Bernstein, of Hollywood, Fla., Marie and her husband, John Redmond, of Wallingford, and Monica St. James and her husband, John Kveton, of Wallingford; brothers, Fred St. James, of Hollywood, Fla. and Wallingford, and Peter St. James and his wife, Andi Coster, of St. Louis, Mo.; aunts, Vera and Joan Brophy, of Wallingford; nieces, Rebecca Kardash, Amanda Redmond, Emily Redmond, and Elizabeth Kveton; and nephews, Brian Redmond and Alexander Kveton.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated Oct. 11 at Church of the Little Flower in Hollywood, Fla. Remembrances should be sent to Church of the Little Flower, 1805 Pierce St., Hollywood, Fla. 33020.